Frank Lampard has described returning to Chelsea as "like a breath of fresh air" following his experience as part of England's failed World Cup campaign.

Getting stuck in: Frank Lampard, in action against Hamburg, faces a busy start to the season with Chelsea and EnglandPhoto: ACTION IMAGES

By Jeremy Wilson

7:00AM BST 06 Aug 2010

The pressure and expectation surrounding the national team in South Africa again seemed to stifle the performances of England's best players, including Lampard, who struggled to repeat his outstanding club form for Chelsea.

Lampard's season now begins with three games in six days as Chelsea face Manchester United in Sunday's Community Shield and then England play Hungary at Wembley on Wednesday ahead of the first Premier League fixtures next Saturday.

The England players can expect a hostile reception from supporters disillusioned by another summer of underachievement, with Lampard admitting that the timing of the Hungary game was difficult for the clubs.

"Everyone has spoken about it not being ideal," he said. "There are two arguments. It is not ideal, that is an obvious statement for the teams because everyone wants to prepare for that first [league] game. But you have to understand that England need to prepare for the qualifying games as well. That game has always been there and, as a professional playing for your country, you go and play."

A hangover from the World Cup has certainly appeared evident in Chelsea's pre-season form, with the team losing three times in the past fortnight against Ajax, Frankfurt and, on Wednesday, Hamburg. Key players, including Lampard, John Terry, Ashley Cole, Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka, were all part of the England and France teams who so disappointed in South Africa.

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Lampard denied that their summer experiences had left lingering mental scars, but admitted that fitness was an issue. Chelsea's 10 World Cup players returned for pre-season training only on July 26 and, according to manager Carlo Ancelotti, need another two weeks before they will be back at their best. One consolation for Chelsea is that the Premier League season begins with what should be a relatively straightforward home fixture against West Bromwich Albion on Aug 14.

"The disappointing summer is not affecting the Chelsea side," said Lampard. "Of course we are disappointed with England but it is almost a breath of fresh air to come back to Chelsea. There is no niggling mental effect from that at all.

"When the England games come then we will approach that but in terms of Chelsea, it is exciting to be back. The rest was about a month, which is plenty for me; I was kind of ready to come back. It is just about getting fit in time. There is a little bit of catching up but hopefully that rest we did have will be of benefit later on in the season."

Lampard says his England team-mates must now focus on the looming European Championship qualifying campaign rather than obsess about what wrong in South Africa. "You do not want to dwell on things, you have to look forward with a positive attitude towards the season for Chelsea and for England," he said.

Although the Champions League is the one prize to have eluded Chelsea since the club were taken over by Roman Abramovich, Lampard said that the priority this season should be a successful defence of the Premier League title. With Manchester City having replaced Chelsea as the Premier League's most extravagant club and Liverpool strengthened by the addition of Joe Cole, an even more competitive title race is expected.

"We understand the strength of the other teams, particularly Man City, who have sort of arrived having not been there before," said Lampard. "Obviously they have got the money and they are stronger than ever because they have got good individuals. But they will have to try and find the mix and they will have to try and make it work very quickly. I think Chelsea did it pretty well. It probably took us about a season or a season and a half to get to where we wanted.

"Every year is a different challenge and a harder challenge. I would like to try and defend the league first and foremost."

Lampard also conceded that Chelsea were unlikely to top last season's league results, when they scored more than 100 goals, including seven or more in four games. "People will set out to try and stop us doing things like that this year," he said.